An Ebonyi State Magistrate’s Court on Thursday remanded at a custodial centre a 32-year-old man, Uche Akpa, for allegedly raping a seven-year-old pupil.

UGAMATV learnt that the suspect lured the primary school pupil into his room with biscuit.

The parents of the victim were said to have got to know about the incident the following day when the child could not get up to go to school, as she opened up on the rape.

It was gathered that the suspect committed the offence at Mebiowa village, Okposi community, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, on November 29, 2020.

The accused was arraigned on one count of unlawful sexual intercourse before a magistrate’s court sitting in Abakaliki on Thursday.

The police prosecutor, ASP Mathias Eze, said the offence was punishable under Section 34 (2) of the Ebonyi State Child Rights and other Related Matters Law, 2010.

The accused, who was not represented in court, pleaded for mercy.

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“It was the devil that pushed me to do this kind of thing. I didn’t do it intentionally. It was the devil. I plead for mercy,” he said.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Nnenna Onuoha, ordered that the suspect be remanded, while his case file be transferred to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

She adjourned the matter till December 14, 2020, for report of compliance.